Library offering internet hotspots thanks to community donation

Thanks to the support of the Cameron & Laurie Thompson Fund with the Community Foundation of Kingston and Area, Kingston Frontenac Public Library (KFPL) now has wireless internet hotspots available to lend.

With critical information becoming available quickly over the internet, it is vital that everyone in the community has access to it, KFPL said in a release dated Friday, Oct. 16, 2020.

“Many members of our community are without internet access due to cost or a lack of reliable broadband internet,” said Nicole Charles, Director of Branch Experience. “This project will be particularly important in our rural service areas and on Wolfe and Howe Island.”

The Ontario Government recently announced $150 million in funding to help improve internet and cellular service in the province, according to the release. The hotspot lending project will help to immediately address gaps while that plan rolls out.

There are 15 wireless internet hotspots available for loan, a collection that will be improved by the addition of 10 Chromebooks to borrow for those who don’t have a device of their own. According to KFPL, the Foundation grant covered the cost of the equipment, as well as monthly data charges for the first several months. The library intends to offer the service until at least the end of 2021.

The fund’s donor, Laurie Thompson, was pleased to support this project. ”Access to the latest technology and reliable internet is something that our family has been very fortunate to enjoy,” she explained. “We acknowledge, however, that this is not the case for many, and so we hope that these Chromebooks and hotspots help families and individuals during these challenging times.”

For more information, visit www.kfpl.ca or call your local branch.